Conical plug refiner



July 2l, 1953 c. E. RoBERsoN commu. PLUG REFINER 5 Sheets-snee? l Filed Feb. l5, 1949 .DWNN

.f @um l y M 2mm s# M duafaaegs July 2l, 1953 c. E. RoBERsoN 2,645,983

coNIcAL PLUG REFINER Filed Feb. l5, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 21, 1953 c. E. RoBERsoN 2,645,983

CONICAL PLUG REFINER Filed Feb. 15, 1949 5 sheets-snaai s C. E. ROBERSON CONICAL PLUG REFINER July 2l, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. l5, 1949 July 21, 1953 c. E. mBERsON- 2,645,983

cQNIcAL 4'PLUG' RFEINERv Filed Feb. 15, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 2l, 1953 UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE CONICAL PLUG REFINER Cyrus E. Roberson, Hoosick Falls, N. Y., assignor to The Noble & Wood Machine Company, Hoosick Falls, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 15, 1949, Serial No. 76,471

this invention relates to improved conical plug rening machineryfor high degree refining of paper stock. i y

In general, conventional paper stock refiners of the conicalplug type, including the well-known Jordan renner and its variations, employ a fixed shell in the shape of a hollow truncated cone, and a plug in the shape of a truncated cone fitting into the shell and mounted on a shaft for rotation. The internal surface of the shell and the outer surface of the plug are provided with cutter bars or grooves, and the vplug is placed within the shell to give thecutter bars a predetermined cutting clearancev before starting. The stock is admitted at the small or apex end and is forced into `the space between the cutter bars, whereupon it is out, flbrillated, and otherwise treated by the action of the bars, and, throughV pressure of flow and centrifugal force, gradually works toward the larger outlet end.

One of the more impartant disadvantages in the conventional J ordan-type constructiony is seen in the limited range of stock quality it is capable of refining without the necessity of major changes in construction. In other words, a Jordan renner must 'be initially designed for a given use. If it is desired to obtain highly rened stock the cutter bars must be spaced close together andv the clearance between the cutter bars of the shell and the plug mustbe` reduced to a minimum. On the other hand,l if' it is desirable to treat the stock much less for the production of coarser papers, it is necessary to construct the Jordan with larger bars and wider and deeper grooves. Nowhere in the paper industry has a Jordan renner been seen which has been capable of producing stock possessing widely divergent characteristics of refinement without the necessity Yof costly rearrangement of parts prior to changing such characteristics. Of course, a certain degree of variation can be obtainedby varying the inlet pressure, the cutter bar clearances, restricting the outlet flow, and varying the rotor speed. However, none of these are conducive to efficient operation and have the disadvantages of requiring: `complicated control mechanisms. Restricting the outlet fiow in par- 9 Claims. (Cl. 92-,-27)

ticular has the additional disadvantage of causing an oscillatory surge in the flow rendering the i degree of refinement uneven.

A further disadvantage in conventional Jordan vconstruction is the inability of such refiners to provide uniform rening conditions over periods of extended use and wear. In general as the cutter bars wear, the plug is advanced `into the shell in order to maintain the proper cutting clearance, and in so doing, the wall at the large end' of the plug separates from they large shellhead, leaving a cavity in the large end of the renner.` This cavity provides a dead space where the'paper stock can stagnate during the refining process, and thereby creates a new condition in the refining process which was not present in the earlier operations. Depending on the size of the renner, this cavity sometimes reaches a width of from six to twelve inches.

A further limitation in conventional Jordantype refiners relates to the degree of refinement that may bel obtained by them. Hitherto, Jordan refiners have been incapable of refining paper stock or other fibrous `materials down to micron size for the manufacture of glassine, plastics, plasticizers, greaseproof coatings for paper, or the like. The conventional method of achieving such renement hasbeen to grind the stock between stones, a lengthy and expensive process.

It is an object of my invention to provide a conical plug type renner capable of varying the quantity and quality of paper stock refined by means of simple adjustments and without the necessity of costly and inconvenient repositioning substantially uniform refining conditions despite conditions of wear.

It is an additional object of my invention to provide a conical plug type renner' for reducing paper stockV or other fibrous materials to micron size suitable for use in the manufacture of glassine, plastics, plasticizers, greaseproof cover ings for paper, or the like.

In order to accomplish these objects, I employ a rotor plug and stator shell of a Jordan-type renner. Itis not essential to the general application of my invention to use any particular form of conical plug rener. My improvements'are equally applicable to various sizes of shells, plugs and the cutter bars and grooves used with them.

However, in the adaptation of my invention for the production of microniaed stock, I preferably employ an all metallic lining having lands and grooves instead of cutter bars and spacers.

It is a feature of my invention that the large end of the plug is tapered toward the shaft, that the inner surface of the large shell head is reciprocally counter tapered, and that the two are spaced apart to form a shallow chamber. This chamber is somewhat similar to the cavity normally occurring in conventional Jordans after the plug has been advanced into the shell due to wear. walls, and furthermore, the outlet, lopening, for the stock instead oi being at rtheouter periphery However, it has slanting is located adjacent to and concentric with Vthe Y shaft at the inner periphery of the said chamber.

Thus it is impossible for the stock to stagnate.

in the chamber because .the flow of stock is from the outer to the inner periphery of the chamber. While passingr through-the chamber a swirling motion is imparted-to the paper stock by the cutter bars and by the friction of the plug end after the stock leaves the cutter bars. This swirling action, through centrifugal force, sets up a minor separating action, subjects the stock to high pressure, and retards the iiow of. stocky to the outlet.A l

It is a further feature of my invention that the above mentioned swirling action is interrupted by a turbulence plug located in the large shell head in the wall of the said chamber..l The turbulence plug may be projected either-.directly into the path of the swirling stock vtp disrupt the said swirling action, or it may achieve the saine effect by being withdrawn from the wall of the said chamber leavingV a cavity for the purpose of creating turbulence. lfthelturbulence plug is placed flush withthe large shell head wall of the said chamber, no disruption of the swirling action will take place,I the stockk will be vsubjected to the maximum centrifugal force, will emitslowly from the stool:` outlet, and will be highly refined. On the other Vhand if the turbulence plug is adjusted to disrupt the swirling action, the centrifugal force acting upon the stock will be less, the rate of iiow willbe greater. and the stock will be less refined.

It is a further feature of my invention that the large shell head is movable with relation to the forward part of the shell and may be connected to the plug shaftbearing supports so that, as the plug is advanced into the shell for the purpose of compensating for cutter bar wear,y

that the clearance between. the .large shell headv and the rear wall of the plugmay be-varied as desired, and the treating conditions with re' spect to the said chamberl betweenthe plug and large shell head may be varied independently of the position of the plug.` f l Further objects and features of my inventionl will best be understood and appreciated from a.

detailed description. ofa preferredembodiment thereof, selected for` the purposes rafillustration 4 and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a View in side elevation of the renner of my invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view in side elevation of the same being magnified to a slightly larger scale,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in end 'elevation along the lines 3--3 of Fig. l on a larger scale,

Fig. 4 is a sectional View in end elevation along the lines 4 4 of Fig. l on the same scale as Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a View in end elevation of the inside of the largev shelly head,

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view along the lines A(iw-l5 of Fig. 1,

Fig.- 7 is a Sectional view in side elevation of the refiner of my invention adapted for eX- tremely high degree refining,

Fig. 8 is a sectional View in side elevation of the turbulence plug arrangement,

Fig. 9 is a view inend elevation of the flange to which the turbulence plug is connected,

Fig. 10is a View in end elevation, of the bushing for the 'turbulence plug,

Fig. 11 is a view in end elevation of the ad- Justing nut for the turbulence plug,

Fig. 12 is a` plan view of the turbulence plug alone,

Fig. 13, is a sectional view inend elevation of tne ratchet mechanism along the lines l3|3 @f Fig. 14, and A Fig. le is a partially. sectionedview in side elevation of the toggle links between the large shell head and the bearing casing.

In its general organization the preferred embodiment of my invention. herein. shown comprises a heavy cast iron base llupon which is mounted a frontbea'ring unit H, va rener unit l2l and a rear bearing unit Id. Passing centrally through these unitsisa shaft l5l which is driven by a conventional source of power not shown. For the. purpose of clarity, the renner unit l2 will be described Virst. and the, bearing units later when their function with respect to the operation of the mechanism as a whole becomes more evident.

The ejnerunit The renner unit includes in its central and rear sections, a conical cast ironA or'bronze shell I6 essentially Vofthe conventional- Jordan refiner type, with the shaft l5 passing axially through it. The shellv I l is preferably made from a single casting, and is supported. on'the base l0 by suitablebraces il. The inner surn face of the said shell I6 is machined to form a conical matrix and is furthermore provided with cutter bars Zin the conventional manner with wooden v.spacers not shown. Fitting into this matrixv and supported axially. for rotation on the shaft l5 is a conical' cast iron or bronze plug 2l of. complementary'shape to the shell I6 and likewise provided with similar cutter bars T22. I1he edges of the' respectivecutter bars lie 1n parallel relationship, and thus, when the plug Ell isv advanced. axiallyv into the matrix ofv the shell I5 to a fixed position of. clearance between the respective cutterv bars, the plug 2| may be rotated .to bring about the. desired cutting action. t Paper stock is admitted through an inlet opening 24 into archamber` 25 surroundingthe shaft I5. in the rear -end ofthe shell. A rear head 26 comprising anupper and a lower casting is bolted tothe rear end of the shell IB 'by suitable bolts 2'1 they; are optional.

vin the conventional 25, it is drawn forward by action of screw blades.

3l on the shaft I5 just forward of the chamber 25 but to the rear of the conical plug 2i. Paper stock, however, will advance between the shell and the plug without screw blades 3l, and therefore, Thereafter, theV paper stock is caught betweenthe cutter bars 20 and 22 and subjected to their refining action. However, the cutter bars 22 of the rotating plug 2I also iinpart a circulatory motion to the paper stock which results in a centrifugal force, and in `turn tends to .aid the progression of the stock towards the large end of the shell I3, by virtue of the ex-Y panding slope ofithe conical shell I6.

rI-Iaving passed forward of the stationary cutter bars 23 of the shell i6, `the paper stock is continued in its circulatory motion within a narrow f chamber 33 by action of the forward ends of the rotating cutter bars 22. 1

The large end of the conical plug 2l is provided with a shallow conical disk 34 suitablysecured thereto by machinescrews, concentric with the shaft i and carriedwith the vsaid plug in rotation. As the stock proceeds forward from the chamber 33, it passes between the said shallow conical disk 34 and a large shell head 35 which is provided with a rear wall having an inverse taper parallel to that of the said disk 34. The large shell head 35 is held in place by front shell head pieces lill` comprising an upper and a lower casting suitably bolted together Vand likewisey bolted to the forward. end of theshell `I6 by tie bolts 4i. The large shell head 35 is preferably made of cast iron or bronze, and is prevented from following the shaft I5 in rotation by forwardly extending braces 42 (see Figs. 3 and 6) which V bear against fixed members but allow the large shell head 35 to move axially with respect to the shell I5 as will be further explained below. The large shell head 35 is likewise provided with a labyrinth seal indicated by the notches 43 for the' purpose of preventing stockfrom leaking out between the large shell head 35 and front shell head pieces 43.

lIt is tobe noted that the opposed walls of the conical disk 34 of the plug 2 I, and the largeshell head535 are parallel vin the preferred embodiment herein shown, but suchisl not absolutely neces.V

sary as these walls may be given a slight varying taperwithout hindering the operation of the machine. Y

Paper stock passing forward from the chamber 33 enters a chamber 44 formed by the opposed walls of the shallow conical disk 34V and the large shell head 35. The stock moves through the chamber 44 toward the shaft I5 and eventually passes through an opening 45 in the large shell head adjacent to the shaft,k thereafter the stock passes outward through the duct 45 and 1s used manner in paper making process. It will be evident that while the paper stock is in the chambers 33 and 44, itwill be sub-` jected to an extreme swirling motion because the said chambers are not provided with cutter bars along their stationary shell surfaces. ri'his swirling motionv subjects the stock to an extreme centrifugal counterforce which increases the stock pressure towards the outer endk of the chamber 44, retarding the flow towards the opening 45 and pronfioting rening'through surface friction or.`

iydraulic sheer between the walls of the chamber of the stock, disruption means such as a turbulence plug or member 4'Iis provided in the large shell head 35. This plug may be either advanced into the chamber 44er else it may be withdrawn for the purpose of creating a cavity in the surface of the large shell head 35 which will have the effect of disrupting the centrifugal counterforce by creating turbulence, and thereby increase the rate of throughput of stock. v l y The retarding plug 4'I,is shown in detail in Fig. 8 and may preferably be cylindrical in shape with its rear surface machined to the taper angle of the rearwall of the large shell 'head 35. It is provided witha Monel metal sleeve 48 separating its peripheral surfaces from contact with the` large shell head 35 and allowing a'free movement of the plug 4? in, and out. Connected to the sleeve43 by a machinescrew 55 is a cylindrical bushing 5 I, anend view of which is shown in Fig.

v10.r The bushing 5I is provided with an axial tension 57 threaded to'receive an adjusting nut.

53. The adjusting nut 65 is provided with a laterally extending flange 6I which lits into an appropriately machined recess in the forward end of the bushing 5I. A iiange plate 62 shown in Figs. 3, A8 and 9 serves to connect the turbulence plug assembly to the large shell head 35 and is secured laterally to the said large shell head by bolts 63 (see Fig. 3) overlaps the said flange 6I of the adjusting nut 60, and furthermore holds the bushing 5i in rigid alignment by appropriate machine screws 64. For the purpose of indicating the exact position of the turbulence plug 4'! with respect to the chamber 44, a calibrated indicator 5B is provided as a further extension of the turbulence plug 47. Thus it will be noted that the turbulence plug 41 slides axially within the bushing 5I by adjustment of the nut 63 but is prevented from rotation by means of the slid ing key 53. Furthermore, it can be accurately positioned with reference to the calibrated indi-v cator 58. 1 l i l l For the purpose of sealing the forward entrance of the shaft I5 in the` large shell head 35,2. packingzbox 65 is providedrin the said large shell head. Packingrt is inserted vinto the said packing box 65 and held in place `by'a packing ring 67.

Referring now to the front bearing unit II it consists in a conventional bearing case 'l0 mounting, internally, thrust bearing rollers bearing upon both sides of a double conical sleeve 98 secured to the shaft. The bearing case 'IG is provided with laterally extending shoes |00 mounting the bearing for axial sliding movement in guides 1I.

The shaft I5 is positionedr axially by a thrust screw IIJZ cooperatingy with a thrust nut |33 mounted in a forward extension 104 of the bear` ing case 7G. As shown in Fig.v 6, with the shaft I5 near its most forward position, the thrust: screw H32 enters a recess IIl5 in the forward end of the shaft I5, merely sliding therein when the shaft rotates. The forward end of the thrust screw IDE is 'held against axial movement by a conventional double thrust bearing |06, and is rotated by operation of a gear |08 secured to the thrust screw and a cooperating worm gear IIG In order to reduce the said swirling motion adressa mounted in` the forward end of. the bearing. unit frame;

Thus it will be evident' that' theV plug 2| and front bearing unit I'I will be moved axially by operation of the thrust screw |92 to compensate for cutter bar wear or to change the. cutter bar clearance, and that the large shell head.35imust be correspondingly movedin order to'V maintain uniform treating conditions in the chamber M'. It may, however, be otherwise desirable to vary the treating conditions in the chamber IMI by varying theY space between the disk 3d and the large shellhead 3.5. Therefore, the large shell head 35 isV connected to the bearing case 'IllA by adjustable toggle links (see Fig. 14) on each side of the large shell head 35. The-toggle links connect to transfer pieces 8'4 on the rear wall of the large shell head' 35- and' eachrconsistsin alsleeve.

. sleeve Bil.

In order to ensure unison of movement between the two toggle links M, across connected ratchet assembly is mounted upon the sleeves 8G and consists in keyhole shaped member $5 perforated centrally to lit around each sleeve 8U. The sleeves 8|) are provided with upstanding spline teeth 86, and the keyhole shaped members are recessed in one end of their central perforations to t around the said teeth 86. Retaining rings 37 secured to the sleeves G by set screws 88, serve to hold the said' members 85 against the teeth 85. For the purpose oi imp-arting rotation toA theA sleevesll, ratchets SI5 are mounted in the members 85=directly over the teeth 86. The ratchets 98 are provided with compressionv springs 92 urging them constantly downward and against the teeth, and are further provided with slanting heads 9| adaptedto engage the teeth on oneside such that rotation of the ratchets 9U in one direction will cause the said ratchets to rise over each tooth compressing the springs 92, but will bear upon the teeth when rotated in the opposite direction. It will be noted that the ratchet's 9i) may be raised and turned by hand knobs 93 for the purpose of reversing the ratchet action.

The action of the toggle links 'Ill uponthe large shell head 35l is maintained in unison by upstanding handles Sil'which are cross connected to one another by means of a cross bar 91. Clevis heads 95 pivotally connect.l the handles 9G to the said cross bar and thus provide suitable parallel action betweenk the said handles.

The rear bearing assembly I4 consists merely in a bearing case 'I6 mounted for axial movement in slides TI; Thus is will be seen that the operation of this embodiment of my inventionin'cludes adjusting the plug 2| and the shaftv I5 axially into or out of the conical shell I6 for the purpose of varying the cutting clearance between thecutter bars 2o and 22. Furthermore by operation of the adjustable toggle links 14, the large shell head' 35 may be adjusted away from or closer to the plug head 34; thus giving the stock a larger or smaller path through which to exit from the reiner. In addition, the retarding plug 41 may be advanced or withdrawn to vary the centrifugal motion of the stock after it leaves the chamber 33.

Vinwardly extending, flange |26.

Another embodiment of my invention adaptedy particularly, for high degree refining isshown in Fig.. 7 and includes. a stator shell I'I2 encompassed by a water cooling jacket II3 and receiv- 1 ing-A a conical plug II4-mounted upon a shaft II I in the manner of conventional jordans. The rear end formsan inlet chamber I I9 and is provided with a` rear head piece IIE, packing III, and a dirt trap |36", similarly to the embodiment previously. described above. The. shell II2, however, is lined andthe plug H4v is covered by complementary formed sleeves I2I and |23 respectively having, opposed lands. and grooves machined therein. The said'- sleeves. |2| and |23 arezsecuredltorthe shell I'I2- and plug I I4 respectively by machine screws andare preferably constructed of dissimilar metals to. prevent gallingy between the said sleeves.

The stockpasses forward from the. inlet chamber IISi.v between the sleevesv |2| and I2-3 where it is subjected toi their refining action, and'then passes into. a chamber lllformed'by a plug large head. disk IIS. and alarge shell head II8. The

disk I I6 is mounted on the large headof the plug'.

I I4', and the largeshell head is supported by forward'extensions. |25 of the shell' I I2. Thechamber |2|] slopes forward toward theshaft I II and is'provided with a central stock outlet. |351. leadingto a stock conduit |32.

Upon enteringthe chamber I2|l,.the stock will be subjected to an intense swirling action and in order to control this a turbulence plug |22V is provided in the large shell head II8. The turbulence plug II3 is similar in operationto the turbulence plug 4T and mayeither beprojected into orwithdrawn from the chamber |20 for the purpose of. providing resistance to the said swirling action.

The shaft III is supported by bearings (not shown) similary to the bearing units II and I4, and is moved axially by a conventional worm gear and' thrust nut arrangement (not shown). But since it is not expected that the plug i I4 will be moved distances comparable to the movement of the plug due to wear when cutter bars are employed, the large shell head II8 is not linked to the. shaft front bearing. However, the said large shell head IIS may be adjusted axially by means ofV a cap |24 tapped to receive threads in the outer periphery of the forward extensions |25 of the shell II2, and further provided with an The ange |28 bears upon one side of a cooperating radial flange. I2`I= integralwith the large shell head I I8, and a back-off lug |28 secured to the cap I 24 bears upon the other side of the radial flange |21. Thus the cap |24 may be moved axially by merely turning it, and will carry the large shell head I lwith it by operation of the iianges |26 |2'1` andthe back-off'lug |28. y It willv be evident that this embodiment of my invention has the eiect of subjecting the stock to an extreme hydraulic sheer which in part accounts for the high degree of. refinement attained'.

While-minor variations of the preferred embodiments herein shown will. be evident to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise form herein shown, but rather to measure it. in terms. of the appended claims.

Having thusdisclosed preferred embodiments of my invention and described in detail an illus- 29 trative example thereof, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten-t is:

l. In anapparatus for rening iluent material including a statorshell and a rotor mounted for rotation and. axial translationl within the shell; the combination of a non-rotatable shellhead closing one end of the shell and forming with the end of the rotor a shallow chamber with; in the shell whereby fluent material within' the shallow chamber will be urged radially by the end of the rotor, walls in the shell head forming an outlet passage from said shallow chamber adjacent to the rotor axis, disruption means communicating with said narrow chamber `through said shell head including a member movable into or out'of said shallow chamber for retarding the centrifugal flow of the said fluent materal with in the said shallow chamber. y

2. In an apparatus for refining fluent material including a stator shell and aY rotor mounted for rotation and axial translation within the shell; the combination of ar non-rotatableshell head closing one end of the shell and forming with the end of the rotor a shallow. chamber within the shell, walls in the shell head forming z" whereby the circulatory motion and hence cenm trifugal counterforce of the said fluent material in the said shallow chamber induced by the said end of the rotor-'may be regulated to vary the rate of iiow of the said material.

3. In a renner having a stator shell forming a substantially conical matrix and a rotor plug of complementary shape to the matrix mounted on a shaft for rotation axially within the said matrix, wherein fluent material is admitted between the shell and plug at the small end, refined by the cooperative action of the moving plug surface and the stationary shell surface, and urged toward the large end by centrifugal force; means for moving the plug axially relative to the shell, and means providing a uniform outlet path from the renner for the iiuent material despite such plug movement comprising a large shell head spaced from the large end of the plug to form a shallow chamber across the large end of the matrix, walls in the large shell head forming an annular outlet concentric with and adjacent to the shaft, and means for translating the large shell head axially'in unison with the plug.

4. In a conical plug type renner wherein fluent material is treated between the moving surface of a substantially conical rotor plug and the stationary walls of a complementary matrix formed by a stator shell and is urged from the small. end to the large end by centrifugal force, means controlling the flow of the fluent material comprising a large shell head spaced from the large end of the plug to form a shallow chamber across the large end of the plug, walls in the large shell head forming an. outlet adjacent to the center of the said large shell head, and disruption means communicating with said shallow chamber through said shell head including member movable into or out of said shallow chamber; whereby the material within the shallow chamber will be driven circularly by the large end of the rotor plug to create centrifugal force in opposition to the flow of iiuent material through f the renner and the said adjustable turbulence means will regulate throughput by It) interrupting the said circular movement of the material in the' said shallow chamber.

5. A rener wherein a conical rotor plug is mounted for rotation in a complementary matrix formed by al stator shell, and wherein the suru faces of the plug and matrix lie in spaced relationship and cooperate to refine material pass ing between them from the apex ends to the large ends of the conical members; having in combinan tion, a large shell head spaced from the large end of the plug to form a-narrow chamber across the large endof the renner, the said large shell head adapted to seal the outer peripheriesv of the large end of the matrix, and mounted for longitudinal movement alongthe axis thereof in sealingV relation with the said shell, walls in the large shellY matrix coaxial with the shaft, a conical rotor plug complementary in shape to the matrix mounted on the shaft within the matrix, a large shell head sealing the large end of the stator shell and spaced from the large end of the conical rotor plug to form a narrow chamber, walls forming a stock outlet in the large shell head concentric with and adjacent to the shaft, walls in the large shell head forming a turbulence pocket opening into the narrow chamber, a movable plug forming an end wall for the said turbulence pocket, and means adapted to move the said plug within the said turbulence pocket.

7. In a renner having a stator shell forming a conical matrix and a conical rotor plug of complementary shape to the matrix mounted on a shaft for rotation axially within the said matrix. wherein stock is admitted between the shell and plug at the apex end, refined by the cooperative action of the moving plug surface and the stationary matrix surface, and urged toward the large end by centrifugal force; a iluted lining for the stator shell, a fiuted plug covering, a large shell head spaced from the large end of the plug to form a shallow chamber across the large end of the shell, walls in the large shell head forming a stock outlet concentric with and adjacent to the shaft, and adjustable means communicating with the shallow chamber through the large shell head including a member movable into or out of said shallow chamber to create turbulence in the stock ilow within the shallow chamber, whereby stock in the shallow chamber will be subjected to a swirling action by the rotating large end of the plug and the said swirling action will be controlled by the said adjustable turbulence means.

18. In a renner having a stator shell forming a conical matrix and a conical rotor plug of com-V plementary shape to the matrix mounted on shaft for rotation axially within the said matrix, wherein stock is admitted between the shell and plug at the apex end, refined by the cooperative action of the moving plug surface and the stationary matrix surface, and urged toward the large end by centrifugal force: spaced cutter bars lining the stator shell, spaced cutter bars secured to the rotor plug, means adapted to move the shaft and plug axially within the shell, walls integral with the shellforming a 'cylindrical extension to the said conical matrix, a large shell head spaced from the large end ofthe plug to form a shallow chamber across the large end of the shell and adapted to slide axially in sealing relation with the said cylindrical extension, walls in the large shell head forming la stock 'outlet concentric with and adjacent to the shaft, turbulence means communicating with the shallow chamber through the large shell head and including a member movable into or out of said shallow chamber to -alter the circulatory path of the stock within the lsaidsh-allow chamber, and means adapted to move the large shell head axially, whereby stagnation pockets in the Ystock outlet are eliminated, rate of stock ilowimay be regulated by the turbulence means and rening conditions .in the said shallow chamber may be controlled.

9. In a reflner having a stator shell forming a conical matrix and a conical rotor plug of cornplementary shape to the matrix mounted -on la shaft for rotation axially within the said matrix, wherein stock is admitted between the shell and Y plug at the apex end, rened 'by 'the cooperative action of `the moving plug surface and the stationary matrix surface, and urged toward the large end by centrifugal force; a shallow conical disk mounted axially upon the large end of the plug, a large shell head spaced in parallel relationship to the said disk to form a shallow chamber across the large end of the matrix, walls in the large shell head forming a stock outlet concentrical with and adjacent to the shaft, means adapted to move the large shell head axially, walls in the large shell head forming a turbulence pocket opening into the said shallow chamber, and a movable plug in the said turbulence pocket adapted to control the volume thereof.

CYRUS ROBERSON.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 411,251 Marshall Sept. 1'7, 1889 897,225 Nuttall Aug. 25, 1908 984,830 Marshall Feb. 21, 1911 1,851,071 Travis Mar. 29, 1932 

